Calvin B. Taylor Memorial Scholarship

Calvin Bowen Taylor was born on the "Brotherhood Farm," near the Assateague River (aka Trappe Creek), just east of Berlin, Maryland, on December 28, 1857. Mr. Taylor was the son of Arthur W. and Margaret Ellen Bowen Taylor.

Mr. Taylor was educated at the Buckingham Academy in Berlin, and later attended Western Maryland College in Westminster, Maryland, graduating with A.B. and A.M. degrees in 1882, the equivalent of Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees today.

After college, Mr. Taylor returned home and taught school in Bishopville and Berlin, later becoming the first Principal of Buckingham Academy after it became known as Berlin High School. The school was located at 16 S. Main Street in Berlin, on the site commonly recognized as the "old shirt factory." Mr. Taylor served as Principal of Berlin High School for seven years.

Mr. Taylor married Mattie Collins from Hannibal, Missouri, on July 21, 1886. Their only child, Thomas Collins Taylor was born on September 1, 1888, and died at the age of 11 months on August 15, 1889.

During his years teaching school, Mr. Taylor also read law under Edward E. Martin and was admitted to the Maryland Bar Association in 1886. In 1889 Mr. Taylor  formed a law practice with Mr. Martin under the firm name of Martin and Taylor. Upon entering the legal profession, Mr. Taylor retired as Principal of Berlin High School, but was later appointed Examiner of Worcester County Schools in 1891, a position similar to Superintendent of Schools today. Mr. Taylor served in that capacity until 1896.

In 1890, Mr. Taylor also opened a private bank in Berlin and engaged in the business of banking under the name of CALVIN B. TAYLOR, BANKER. He operated his private bank in conjunction with his law practice. Mr. Taylor later changed the name of his banking practice to CALVIN B. TAYLOR BANKING COMPANY.

In the early 1900s, Mr. Taylor engaged in insurance sales through a wholly owned business known as CALVIN B. TAYLOR & CO. INSURANCE BROKERS, but he later sold part of the business to others who worked for the bank.

In 1908, Mr. Taylor incorporated his private bank under the name of CALVIN B. TAYLOR BANKING COMPANY OF BERLIN, MD. Mr. Taylor served as President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, while continuing to practice law. Mr. Taylor’s banking and legal practices constituted the majority of his business endeavors until his death.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Mr. Taylor held leadership positions in numerous faith-based, civic, community and professional organizations in Berlin and Worcester County, Maryland.

He was a devoted member of the Buckingham Presbyterian Church and was ordained as an Elder of the Church on June 14, 1885, a position he retained until his death. Mr. Taylor also served the Church as a teacher and Superintendent of the Sunday school. He was a Member of Paran Lodge No. 164, I.O.O.F. in Berlin and Evergreen Lodge No. 153, A.F. & A.M. in Berlin. He achieved Master Mason with Evergreen Lodge on January 4, 1900, and served in numerous stations including Senior Warden. Mr. Taylor was one of the largest contributors and is credited for making possible the construction of Evergreen Temple in Berlin.

Notable Director positions held by Mr. Taylor during his lifetime include Member of the Board of Directors of Peninsula General Hospital in Salisbury, First National Bank of Snow Hill, and the Bishopville Bank. Notable professional affiliations include Member of the American Bar Association, President of the Tri-County Banker’s Association for one term, Vice-President of the Berlin Building and Loan Association, and Member of the Chamber of Commerce.

A public servant, Mr. Taylor was also a member of the Berlin Town Council for four years, served as Mayor of Berlin for two years and represented Worcester County as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for two terms, 1898-1899 and 1912-1913. During his political career he was an active member of the Worcester County Democratic State Central Committee and served until his death.

Mr. Taylor was an active outdoorsman and participated in time-honored Eastern Shore traditions such as hunting and fishing. He particularly enjoyed waterfowl hunting and was a member of the North Belmont Gun Club and Bayshore Gun Club.

Mr. Taylor passed away on May 31, 1932, leaving behind a legacy of unparalleled professional and personal achievement. This brief biography, however, only provides a glimpse of the real man. Modest and unpretentious, his humble and commonplace way, his simplicity, sincerity of purpose and temperament endeared him to all who knew him. Well educated and cultivated, he always had the welfare of our community at heart, with an often unseen hand extended to those suffering from misfortune or need.

The current and retired Directors, Officers and Employees of Calvin B. Taylor Banking Company are proud to memorialize the extraordinary life of our Founder Calvin Bowen Taylor and his professional and personal achievements that shaped the culture of our Bank, and made Berlin and Worcester County exceptional places for residents to live, work and prosper.